Newport News, Va.- After back-to-back national championships and a perfect 35-0 season last year, the Juniata women's volleyball team picked up right where they left off, opening their 2024 season with a 3-0 sweep at Christopher Newport University on Friday night.

Kennedy Christy led the match with 12 kills (.286), which was just one more than Lily Podolan's 11 (.391). Olivia Foley had 35 assists, two kills, and an ace on the night. Audrey Muth and Mackenzie Coley each added seven kills, while Mia Schubert contributed three kills and seven aces. Scoring came from every part of the floor for the Eagles.

It looked like the Captains would take set one, leading by as many as three points at 13-16. There were several lead changes in the opening set but the Eagles soared back to win the set 25-22, with the final point coming off of a key block from Courtney Williams.

Unlike set one, the Captains never led in set two. The Eagles maintained a firmer grip on the scoring, winning the set 25-19, with the final point a Podolan kill and Foley assist.

The Eagles cruised to victory in set three after an 8-2 start in the first ten points, winning the final set 25-14.

Now 1-0, the team will revisit Christopher Newport's gym to play in a double header tomorrow against William Patterson University at 11:00 a.m. before a showdown with #4 Johns Hopkins University at 3:30 p.m. looking to return home with a 3-0 start to the year.